Machine for tending lawns, &amp;c.



PATENTED NOV. s, 1903.

M. E. BLAGKWDOD. MACHINE FOR TENDING LAWNS, &0.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 15, 1902.

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No. 743,229. PATENTED NOV. s, 1903.

M. E. BLAGKWOOD.

MACHINE FOR T ENDI NG LAWNS, 6w. APPLIOATION FILED FEB. 15, 1902. no MODEL. 8 snnmsqsxmn z.

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No. 743,229. PATENTED'NOV. 3, 1903. M. E. BLACKWOOD.

MACHINE FO R TENDING LAWNS, 6w. APPLICATION FILED FEB. 15, 1902 N0 MODEL. 8 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

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No. 743,229. PATENTED Nome, 1903. M. B. BLAGKWOOD.

MACHINE FOR TENDING LAWNS, 8:0. APPLICATION FILED FEB. 15,-1902.

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M. E. BLAGKWOOD.

\ MAGHINE FOR TENDING LAWNS, 6w.

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No. 743,229. PATENTED NOV. 3, 1903. M. B. BLAGKWOOD.

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PATENTED Nov. 3, 19035 M. E. BLAGKWOOD. MACHINE FOR TBNDING LAWNS, 8w.

APPL IOATION IILED IEB. 15, 1902.

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PATBNTED NOV. 3, 1903.

M. E. BLAGKWOOD. MACHINE FOR TENDING LAWNS, 8w.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 15, 1902.

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Iatented November e, 1903.

MARY E. BLACKWOOD, or BoDrooTE, ENGLAND.

MACHINE FOR TENDING LAWNS, 86c.

$PECIFIGATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 743,229, dated November 3, 1903. Application filed February 15, 1962. Serial No. 94 150. (N model.

To a whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MARY EMILY BLACK- WOOD, a subject of the King of Great Britain, residing at Bodicote, near Banbury, in the county of Oxford, England, have invented a new and useful Machine for Tending Lawns and the Like, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to machines for tending lawns and the like, and has for its object the production of a machine adapted to cut grass or to throw water or to perform both operations while rolling or to throw water while stationary. A further object is to drive the machine mechanically instead of by human or animal power; and my invention consists, essentially, in a machine adapted to perform the operation above referred to and having two or more rollers arranged transversely, such rollers being provided with ratohets and pawls, compensating gear, or the like to enable the outer roller or rollers to move faster than the inner roller or rollers when the machine is being driven around curves. In some cases the grass-cutting knives are divided into two parts and driven through compensating gear.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure I is a side elevation, and Fig. II is a plan, of a machine constructed according to my invention. Fig. III is a section on the line or b in Fig. I through part of the driving-gear. Fig. IV is an end elevation of the steering-rollers. Fig. V is a plan, partly in section, and Fig. VI is a side elevation, showing modified means for driving the grass-cutting knives. Figs. VII and VIII are sections on the lines 0 d and ef, respectively, in Fig. III. Fig. IX is a plan of certain parts shown in Fig. VIII. Figs. I and II are drawn to one scale, and Figs. III

to IX are drawn to another scale, the latter scale being twice the former.

The'same numerals refer to the same parts throughout the drawings.

I employ a frame 2, on which I secure any suitable motor 3. On a transverse shaft 4 I mount two rollers 5 6, preferably of large size and heavy weight. The rollers 5 6 are drawn by the motor 3 through suitable gearing, such as the pulley 7, fixed to the motor-shaft 8, the belt 9, running over the pulley 7, and another pulley, 10, on a counter-shaft 11. A

jockey-pulley 12 may be adapted to bear on the belt 9 and be controlled by the hand-lever 13 through the connections 14. The shaft 4, on which the rollers 5 6 are mounted loosely, also carries a two-part sleeve 15. On each end of the sleeve 15 is fixed a spur-pinion 16. The two parts of the sleeve 15 are connected by a compensating gear 17, to the intermediate or neutral part 18 of which are fixed at a suitable distance apart two spur-wheels 19 20, the wheel 19 being larger than the wheel 20. On the counter-shaft 11 is mounted so as to rotate therewith a sliding sleeve 21, furnished with two spur-pinions 22 23. The pin-- ion 22 is adapted to gear with the spur-wheel 19 when the sleeve 21is moved in one direction and the pinion 23 is adapted to gear with the spur-wheel when the said sleeve is moved in the other direction. These movements of the sleeve may be effected by a fork 24 on one arm 25 of a bell-crank lever 25 26 engaging the contracted part of the said sleeve between the pinions 22 23, the said bell-crank lever being operated by a hand-lever 27 through a rod 28, jointed to the arm 26 of the said bellcrank lever. In Fig. III the sleeve 21 is shown in its intermediate position, where no motion is transmitted beyond the countershaft 11. When the sleeve 21 is moved so that the pinion 23 gears with the wheel 20, motion is transmitted therethrough to the compensating gear 17, the sleeve 15, and the pinions 16 thereon, the said pinions 16 being driven at equal speeds or one faster than the other, according as the machine is traveling on a straight or a curved course. The pinions 16 transmit their motion to the rollers 5 6 by means of intermediate pinions 29, mounted on fixed pins and gearing both with the pinions 16 and internally-toothed rings 30, fixed to the rollers 5 6. To obtain a slower speed and more power, the sleeve 21 is moved in the opposite direction, so as to first disengage the pinion 23 from the wheel 20 and then engage the smaller pinion 22 with the larger wheel 19. The exterior of the intermediate part 18 of the compensating gear may be formed as a brake-drum adapted to be acted upon by the band 31, connected to the link 32, which may be rocked by the pedal 33 through the rod 34, so as to contract the said band around the said drum, and thus put ICO on the brake. If a steam or electric motor be employed, it may itself be made reversible; but with an internal-combustion motor I prefer to introduce a reversing device into the transmission-gear. This device may consist of a double wheel 36 37, mounted on a spindle 38, carried by an arm 39, pivoted at one end on the transverse shaft 4. To the other end of the arm 39 is jointed one end of arod 40, the other end of which forms the strap 41 of an eccentric 42. This eccentric has a hand-lever 43 and is mounted freely on the fixed bar 44. The part 36 of the double wheel gears permanently with the wheel 19. In forward running the double wheel rotates idly; but when it is desired toreverse the sleeve 21 is moved into its intermediate position and the lever 43 is turned forward into the position shown. This moves the eccentric 42 downward and forward, and the rod 40 and arm 39 move with it, so as to bring the part 37 of the double wheel into gear with the pinion 22 on the counter-shaft 11. Motion being now transmitted through a train of three wheels (the pinion 22, the double wheel 36 37, and the wheel 19) instead of two, (22 and 19,) the rollers 5 and 6, and consequently the whole machine, are driven backward.

The knives 51 of the grass-cutter are carried in front of the rollers 5 6 on a shaft 52, mounted in the forward ends of two lateral levers 53, pivoted on the transverse shaft 4. The knives 51 are rotated through suitable gearing, such as the chain-wheels 48 49, the chain 54, and spur-wheels 55 56. Ratchets 45 and pawls 46 or equivalent clutches are preferably introduced between the rollers 5 6 and the knives 51e. g., as shown on the shaft 52to allow the knives to overrun the said rollers. the path of the knives 51, and a single or sectional small transverse roller 58 is arranged in front of the said knives. The said roller 58 is carried in a frame 59, pivoted at 60 and provided with a toothed sector 61. The lever 62, pivoted at 63, has a toothed sector 64 engaging with the toothed sector 61. A screw 65, passing through a cylindrical block 66 in the other end of the lever 62, provides for the rocking of the lever 62 and frame 59, and hence for the raising and lowering of the roller 58 relatively to the knives 51. Consequently by rotating the screw the knives 51 may be adjusted to suit the length of the grass to be cut. The screw 65 is formed on one end of a rod 67, provided with a wheelhandle 68, and supported at the other end on a hand-lever 69. The lever 69 is connected to the side levers 53, and by pulling back the said lever 69 the forward ends of the levers 53 and the knives 51 may be lifted clear of the ground when it is not desired to cut grass. The lifting of the knives may be facilitated by mounting balance-weights 70 on the rear ends of the lovers 53, and the lever 69 may be held in its backward position by a catch, such as the stud 76 on the frame 2. As the rod 67 A stationary blade 57 is set close tois connected to the lever 69, the raising of the knives 51 out of action does not interfere with the adjustment of the position of the roller 58 relatively to the said knives.

According to the modification shown in Figs. V and VI the knives 51 are divided into two lateral parts, and instead of being driven as a whole from the chain-wheel 49 on the compensating gear 17 each lateral part is driven from the rollers 5 and 6, respectively, as by the chain 111 and chain-wheels 112 and 113, shown applied to the roller 6, or the spur-gearing 30, 114, 115, 116, 117, and 118, shown applied to the roller 5. Thus each lateral part of the grass-cutting knives is driven at a definite rate relatively to the driving-roller on its own side of the machine, and when the machine is describing a curve not only the rollers 5 6, but also each part of the knives, is driven faster or slower, according as it is on the outside or inside of the curve. Where the grass to be cut is very long or otherwise difficult, more power may be obtained by using the lower gear 19 22, hereinbefore referred to.

A receptacle 71 for the cut grass may be mounted on the frame 59 in front of the knives 51. The said receptacle 71 may be connected to the said frame 59 by a hinge 72 at one end. A cord 73, attached to the other end of the receptacle, may pass overa pulley 74, supported over the hinge 72, and be provided with a handle 75, so that by pulling the said cord the receptacle 71 may be tipped up and the cut grass be ejected laterally.

The lift and force pump may be driven by a rod 81, connecting the piston-rod 82 with a pin 83 on the chain-wheel 84, which may be rotated by the chain 85 from the chain- .wheel 86, mounted on the counter-shaft 11.

The pump may be used either while propelling the machine on the low speed or (by moving the sleeve 21 into its intermediate position) while the machine is stationary.

The chain is removed when it is desired to employ the high gear. The pump can draw from a well, stream, or other independent source through a suction-pipe, or the said pump may be coupled up to a tank 91 on the machine. The water carried in the tank 91 will act as ballast to the machine and may also be employed for cooling the motor 3 if of the water-cooled type. If an electric motor be employed, the accumulators will serve as ballast to increase the adhesive power of the rollers. With an internal-combustion motor the hydrocarbon may be carried in the tank 90.

The back roller 93 is arranged centrally and is wider than the space between the two rollers 5 6, so that in traveling along a complete strip of ground as wide as the distance between the outside edges of the rollers 5 6 is rolled. The roller 93 is carried in a forked frame 94, pivoted to'the main frame 2 on the center-pin 95. The operator is provided with a suitable'platform or seat, such as the seat 96, carried on the spring-support 97. Steering may be effected through the wheel 98, fixed to the stem 99, which is rotatable in the socket 100 on the frame 2. To the lower end of the stem 99 is fixed an arm 101, carrying a stud 102, which engages in a slot 103 in an arm 104., fixed to the center pin 95, so that when the steering-Wheel 98 is rotated the arm 104: is moved to right or left, and with it the fork 94: and roller 93. The roller 93 may be built up of two or more parts to facilitate turning corners, if desired. It will be observed that the seat 96 is so arranged that the operator has ready access to the various controlling-handles.

To allow of the rollers 5, 6, and 93 adjusting themselves to cambered and other uneven surfaces, I pivot the lower bearing 106 of the center pin 95 to the back of the frame 2 on a fore-and-aft axis 107. The upper bearing 108 is adapted to move in an arc struck from the axis 107 as center. Thus the center pin 95, the fork 94:, and the roller 93 may move through an angle relatively to the frame 2 and rollers 5 6 within limits prescribed by the stops 109. The bearing 108 is otherwise confined by suitable guides, such as 110.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United. States, is-

1. In an automobile lawn-tending machine, the combination with the motor of a frame, a transverse shaft carried by the said frame, two rollers mounted on the said shaft, compensating gear introduced between the said rollers, means for transmitting motion from the said motor to the said rollers through the said compensating gear, grass-cutting knives, and means for transmitting motion from the said compensating gear to the said knives.

2. In an automobile lawn-tending machine, the combination with the motor of a frame, a transverse shaft carried by the said frame, two rollers mounted on the said shaft, compensating gear introduced between the said rollers, levers pivoted on the said shaft, a second shaft carried by the said levers, grasscutting knives mounted on the said second shaft, a framework pivoted to the said levers, a roller mounted in the said framework, a toothed sector on the said framework, a second sector gearing with the first, means for moving the second sector about its axis and means for transmitting motion from the mo tor to the knives.

3. In an automobile lawn-tending machine, the combination with the motor of two rollers, compensating gear introduced between the said rollers, means for transmitting motion from the said motor to the said rollers through the said compensating gear, a two-part grasscutting rotary knife, and means for driving one part of the knife from one roller and the other part of the knife from the other roller.

4. In an automobile lawn-tending machine, the combination with the motor of a frame, two driving-rollers mounted in-the said frame, compensating gear introduced between the said rollers, means for transmitting motion from the said motor to the said rollers through the said compensating gear, grass-cutting knives, means for transmitting motion from the said compensating gear to the said knives, a fork, a pivotal connection between the said frame and the said fork, a steering-roller mounted in the said fork, a lower bearing for the said fork, an upper bearing for the said fork, a pivotal connection between the said lower bearing and the frame, and transverse guides on the frame adapted to confine the upper bearing.

5. In an automobile lawn-tending machine, the combination with the motor of a frame, a transverse shaft carried by the said frame, two rollers mounted on the said shaft, compensating gear introduced between the said rollers, avariabl'e-speed gear,means for transmitting motion from the said motor to the said rollers through the said variable-speed gear and the said compensating gear in both a forward direction and a backward direction, levers pivoted on the said shaft, a second shaft carried by the said levers,grass-cutting knives mounted on the said second shaft, means for transmitting motion from the said motor to the said knives, a pump, means for transmitting motion from the said motor to the said pump, a fork, a pivotal connection between the said frame and the said fork, a steeringroller mounted in the said fork, and means for deflecting the said fork relatively to the said frame.

6. In an automobile lawn-tending machine, the combination with the motor of a frame, a transverse shaft carried by the said frame, two rollers mounted on the said shaft, compensating gear introduced between the said rollers, a variable-speed gear,' means for transmitting motion from the said motor to the said rollers through the said variable-speed gear and the said compensating gear in both a forward and a backward direction, levers pivoted on the said shaft, a second shaft carried by the said levers, grass-cutting knives mounted on the said second shaft, means for transmitting motion from the said motor to the said knives, a pump, means for transmitting motion from the said motor to the said pump, a fork, apivotal connection between the said frame and the said fork, a steering-roller mounted in the said fork, means for deflecting the said fork laterally and angularly relatively to the said frame, a front roller, means for adjusting the said front roller relatively to the said knives, means for lifting the said knives out of contact with the grass, a receptacle for cut grass, a ballast-tank, a brake, and an operators seat.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

M. E. BLAOKWOOD.

Witnesses:

WM. 0. HANNAY, C. NowELL. 

